Battle of Prestonpans, 21 September 1745

19th September 1745The army moved to Duddingston, leaving guards only at Holyrood. Hearing in the evening that Cope had marched to Haddington, the Prince, resolving to meet him, rejoined the army at Duddingston and ordered the guards to follow in the morning.John Murray of Broughton: Manuscript Journals and Papers& Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart 1745-46, Scottish History Society, 1897

20th September 1745Joined by Grants of Glenmorriston. Putting himself at the head of the army and sending forward all his cavalry (50 horse) as an advance guard. The Prince marched by Musselburgh to the brow of Carberry Hill, by Falside Castle through Tranent, and lay all night on the high moorland at the east of that village. Cope had formed his army on the low ground between the sea and the high road half-way between Prestonpans and Cockenzie, and south of these villages. The Prince slept on the field, 'lying on the ground without any covering but his plaid'.John Murray of Broughton: Manuscript Journals and Papers, Caledonian Mercury, The Edinburgh Jacobite Newspaper in 1745 & Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart 1745-46, Scottish History Society, 1886

Pinkie House

21st September 1745The Battle of Prestonpans or Gladsmuir - At three in the morning the Highlanders marched down towards the sea, crossed a morass, and formed a of battle to the east of Cope. 'In sever or eight minutes' the battle was over. Cope's infantry was all either killed, wounded, or taken prisoner, and many of the Highland prisoners enlisted with the Prince. The Prince spent the night at Pinkie House; the army occupied Musselburgh. The Prince sent messages to the Presbyterian clergy to continue their services next day, Sunday, as usual, which permissions, with two exceptions, was not exercised.compiled from The Lyon in Mourning, supplemented and corrected from other contemporary sources byWalter Biggar Blaikie & Itinerary of Prince Charles Edward Stuart 1745-46, Scottish History Society, 1897

The Aftermath

After the battle, the question of marching at once to Berwick was discussed, but was abandoned, as it was felt that the army was to small to keep the communications open with Edinburgh and the north, while if the Prince made some stay in Edinburgh, his friends would have time to rise, the army could be organised, reinforcements obtained from the north, and assistance might be expected from France, since the Prince had given proof of having a strong party in Scotland.John Murray of Broughton: Manuscript Journals and Papers and Maxwell of Kirkconnell's Narrative of Charles, Prince of Wales's Expedition to Scotland, Maitland Club, 1841

The wounded of the royal army were treated by their conquerors with a degree of humanity which might have been well imitated by the regular troops on a subsequent occasion. The conduct of the Prince has been spoken of: that of his Lieutenant General, Lord George Murray, was not less kind, if we are to believe his own statement. A party, whose wounds were not very severe, was conducted by Lord George to Musselburgh, he walking by their side, and allowing some of them to use his horses. At Musselburgh he obtained accommodation for them in an empty house, and slept beside them that night, to protect them from any violence on the part of his troops. This precaution seems scarcely to have been necessary. The Clanranald journalist says: 'Whatever notion our Low-country people may entertain of the Highlanders, I can attest they gave many proofs this day of their humanity and mercy. Not only did I often hear our common clansmen ask the soldiers if they wanted quarter, and not only did we, the officers, exert our utmost pains to save those who were stubborn, or who could not make themselves understood, but I saw some of our private men, after the battle, run to Port Seton for ale and other liquors to support the wounded. As one proof for all, of my own particular observation, I saw a Highlander carefully, and with patient kindness, carry a poor wounded soldier on his back into a house, where he left him, with a sixpence to pay his charges. In all this,' adds the journalist, 'we followed not only the dictates of humanity, but also the orders of our Prince, who acted in everything as the true father of his country.'

Death of Col. Gardiner

Of the Highlanders themselves, only thirty were killed, including three officers, and about seventy or eighty wounded. The greater part of the wounded of both armies were taken into Colonel Gardiner's house, where it was thought possible, a few years ago, to see upon the oaken floors the dark outlines or prints of the tartaned warriors, formed by their bloody garments, where they lay.

Whatever humanity may have been displayed by the common Highlanders towards the wounded, they exhibited quite as much activity in despoiling the slain. Every article they conceived to be of the least value they eagerly appropriated; often, in their ignorance of civilised life, making the most ludicrous mistakes. One who had got a watch, sold it soon afterwards to some person for a trifle, and remarked, when the bargain was concluded, with an air of great self-congratulation, that he was glad to be quit of it, for it had died last night; the machine having in reality stopped for want of winding up. Another exchanged a horse for a horse-pistol. Rough old Highlanders were seen going with the fine shirts of the English officers over the rest of their clothes, while little boys went strutting about with large gold-laced cocked-hats on their heads, and bandoleers dangling down to their heels. One of the Highlanders was seen soon after passing through Stirling, on his way to the north, carrying a military saddle on his back: he probably though the had secured competency for life.

When the search for spoil has ceased, the Highlanders began to collect their provisions. They fixed their mess-room in one of the houses of Tranent, and, sending abroad through neighbouring parks, seized such sheep as they could conveniently catch.History of the Rebellion of 1745-46 by Robert Chambers, 1869, pages 135-137

A quantity of chocolate found in General Cope's carriage, was afterwards sold publicly in the streets of Perth, under the denomination of Johnnie Cope's saw - that is, salve. The carriage itself was employed to carry home old Robertson of Struan, who had come down from the Highlands with his clan, but was unable, from age, to accompany the expedition any further. At that time there was no coach road to Struan's residence; but when he had driven as far as he could, the vehicle was carried forward over the remaining tract by clansmen. After lying in the courtyard at Mount Alexander till almost rotten, it was broken up for firewood.Information from a Bishop of the Scottish Episcopal Church in History of the Rebellion of 1745-46 by Robert Chambers, 7th edition dated 1869, footnote on page 137